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Organizers are finalizing details for Ozark County Christmas events

Tue, 11/21/2017 - 2:00amadmin

Bakersfield’s sixth grade float, the Polar Express, won both the first place prize and the school-affiliated prize in last year’s Christmas parade in Bakersfield, where this year’s Christmas celebration will be held Dec. 2 with the theme “Home Town Christmas.”

Organizers are finalizing details for upcoming Ozark County Christmas events.

Bakersfield’s “Home Town Christmas” will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, beginning with Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. in the school cafeteria. The menu includes pancakes and sausage, milk and coffee for $2 per person. Parents will be welcome to take photos of youngsters with Santa.

The annual Bakersfield Christmas parade will kick off at noon, with float lineup for judging beginning at 11 a.m. in the Bakersfield High School parking lot. Everyone is encouraged to participate by entering a float, car, four wheeler, dirt bike or horse. Prizes will be $100 for first place (sponsored by the Bakersfield Masonic Lodge) and $100 for school-affiliated (sponsored by Foster Feed), $75 for second place (sponsored by Evans Kwik Stop) and $50 for third place (sponsor to be announced). A prize will also be awarded for best decorated horse.

Contests will be held for Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas (grades 9-12), Mr. and Miss Snowflake (grades 6-8) and Little Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas (kindergarten through grade 5).

Gainesville’s “Wonders of Christmas” celebration will be held the following Saturday, Dec. 9. Festivities will run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Vendors and crafters are invited to set up booths at noon on the west side of the square. Those interested in having a booth at the event should contact Pearl Schneider at 679-0388.

The Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas contest, open to 4- and 5-year-old girls and boys, will be held again this year from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Those interested in entering their child in the contest are asked to call Kerrie Zubrod at 417-679-3321 no later than Dec. 1. Parents are encouraged to take photos of their children with Santa.

The Lilly Ridge bell choir will be performing during the event, and church choirs will present Christmas music in the Historium from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., followed by the reading of the Christmas story.

The Jingle Bell Parade steps off at 2:30 p.m.; those wishing to enter a float are asked to call Paula Rose at 417-989-1282. Float lineup will begin at 2 p.m. behind Town & Country Supermarket. There’s no entry fee for floats, and winning floats will be awarded $150 for grand prize, $100 for first place and $50 for second place. Individuals, groups, organizations, churches and bands are encouraged to participate.

The Christmas tree lighting in the gazebo will follow the parade.

Donations are needed to help with banners, prizes for winning floats and bands and other event expenses. To help, drop off a check payable to the Ozark County Christmas Committee Account at Century Bank of the Ozarks or mail to P.O. Box 68, Gainesville, MO 65655.

The annual Ozark County Toy Drive, which has provided Christmas gifts and goodies for Ozark County children for decades, will be held Saturday morning, Dec. 16, in the old senior center on Third Street in Gainesville.

Gainesville senior Annie Noah on Dec. 8 signed a letter of intent to play basketball for College of the Ozarks. Seated, from left: Annie’s mother Joyce Noah, Annie, and her father, Dan Noah. Back: College of the Ozarks Lady Bobcats head basketball coach Becky Vest and Gainesville High School head basketball coach Morris Jenkins. Photo by Karla Smith.